Control for washing machine cylinders



Nov. 23, 1943. R. s. THACKER 2,334,965

CONTROL FOR WASHING MACHINE CYLINDERS Filed April 1, 1942 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Nova 23, 1943 R. S. THACKER CONTROL FOR WASHING MACHINE CYLINDERS 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed April 1, 1942 RAM 6. 7590mm erations of the cylinder.

still have the brake immediately available for the Patented Nov. 23, 1943 Ralph S.

Thacher, Whitney, Nevs asslgnor to Leo M. Harvey, La Canadm'calif.

Application m 1, 1942, Serial No. 431,243

11 Claims. ('01. 192-131).

' This invention relates to control systems and relates more particularly to controls'for operating and governing moving machine parts, such as the cylinders of-commercial washing machines. A general object of this invention'is to provide a safe, inexpensive and easily operated controlfor washing machine cylinders and other moving machine parts.

In the operation of a commercial washing machine, embodying a rotatable cylinder and a shell enclosing the cylinder, it is desirable to bring the cylinder to a stop in a position where its door is in registration with the door of the shell in order to permit free loading and unloading of the machine. The drive for the cylinder is usually such that the cylinder may be reversed," that is, successively alternately rotated in one direction and then the other or, if desired, may be continuously rotated in one direction; This requires the provision of a reverse switch" and a non-re verse switch," both usually in the form of push buttons. An "off" push button is provided to deinching operation. In the controls heretofore employed it has been found necessary to use relays and other additional equipment for the control of the brake.

Another object of this invention is to provide a control of the character mentioned in which the brake is positively held released during the rotary operations of the cylinder and yet is immediately available for the inching operations without resorting to the use of relays or other expensive unreliable equipment.

' Another object of this invention is to provide a novel control circuit for the cylinder of a washing machine in which the reversible motor, the brake, and the flasher for reversing the motor for the reverse" operation are all under the control of a single switch, thus greatly simplifying ducing the cost of the machine.

Another object of this invention is to provide v a control of the character mentioned in which energize the driving motor and it has been necessary to provide an inch up switch and an "inch down switch for the purpose of moving the cylinder short distances in either direction at the end of the cylinder operation to bring the cylinder door into registration with the door of the shell. Thus, in most machines, it has been necessary to provide at least five switches or push buttons for the control and inching 0f the cylinder. The operator must use great care in selecting and operating these many switches and it is easy to become confused and operate the wrong switch and cause injury to himself or others.

An important object of "this invention is to provide a control for the cylinder of a washing machine, or the like, which embodies a single simple switch operable to fully control the various op- The single switch of the present invention has a handle or operating part which may be moved between clearlydesignated or indicated positions for the selective rotation of the cylinder, either in a "reverse" manner or in one direction, for the inching of the cylinder in both directions and for the stopping of the cylinder. The simple handle is readilyop-v erated between its several positions to insure the safe intended control and operation of the cylinder. "Diiilculty has been encountered in prior controls'in' maintaining the brake on the motor in the "off" or. released position while the cylinder is in normal reverse or non-reverse operation and the control switch cannot be left in either of the inching positions to cause injury to the operator when in the process of loading or unloading the machine. The master switch or control switch automatically restores to the "of!" position when left in either of the inching positions.

Another object of this invention is to provide a control of the character referred to embodying an inching lock-out switch or push button independent of the control switch and so located that .the operator must, of necessity, use two hands for tages heretofore set forth resultingfrom a single switch having a single handle for the full control and inching of the cylinder.

The various objects and features of my invention will be fully understood from the. following I detailed description of a typical preferred form cylinder l3.

Fig. 2 is an enlarged face or front view of the master control switch with the inching lock-out button thereon. .Fig. 3 is an enlarged vertical detailed sectional view of the detent means of the master control switch. Fig. 4 is an enlarged vertical detailed sectional view illustrating one contact of the switch and the cam means for operating the same and Fig. 5 is a schematic wiring diagram of the electrical circuits.

The portion of the typical commercial washing machine illustrated in Fig. 1 comprises a stationary shell l having an opening H in its wall closed by a door l2. In the case illustrated the door I 2 moves in a circumferential direction between the opened and closed positions. A rotatable cylinder i3 is arranged within the shell ill to hold or receive the clothes or other materials to be washed. An opening i4 i provided in the wall of the cylinder l3 and is normally closed by a door l5 movable in a circumferential direction between the opened and closed positions. The openings H and H of the shell and cylinder are provided to give access to the interior of the cylinder for the purpose of loading and unloading the machine. The present invention is not concerned with the means for mounting the shell ID or for supporting the cylinder l3 and these details are omitted from the disclosure,

The control system of the present invention may be said to comprise, generally, a reversible motor M for driving or rotating the cylinder l3, a brake for holding the cylinder l3 against movement, means I! for reversing the motor M, a single switch control l3 for the motor M, the brake l6 and the means l1, and safety means IS.

The motor M is operable to rotate the cylinder l3 in either direction, being a suitable reversible electric motor. As diagrammatically illustrated, the motor M direct-1y drives the shaft of the The motor M is supplied with operating current by a three wire or three phase circuit I, 2 and 3, the middle lead 2 of which may directly extend from one side 2i of a power supply. The "up and "down or right and left leads i and 3 of the motor M are under the control of the means l1 and the control I 8.

The brake l3 serves to stop the cylinder l2 at the termination of its operation and to hold the cylinder in position where the access openings I4 and II are in registration. The brake I6 is governed or released by the control i 3 and therefore is preferably electrically operated or released. As illustrated, the brake l3 may be of the disc type embodying a disc 23 fixed on the cylinder shaft 20 and a non-rotatable disc 24 slidable on the shaft and cooperable with the disc 23. A

. spring 23 urges the disc 24 toward the disc 23 so that the brake I! normally tends to stop or hold the cylinder l3 against rotation. The means for operating or releasing the brake I3 comprises a solenoid 23 and a suitable operative connection between th solenoid and the movablebrake disc 24. This operative connection may comprise a link or pivoted lever 21 having one end pivotally connected with the armature or movable element 23 of the solenoid 23 and having a suitable yoke connection with the disc 24. The bracket 23 which carries the olenoid 23 serves to pivotally support the brake ever 21 at 30.

The means I! for controlling the motor circuit I, 2 and 3 to effect reversalof the motor M may be of any selected form, for example, it may be a relay means. It is preferred, however, to employ .a motor driven flasher for the purpose of effecting reversal of the motor M. Such motor driven flashers are well known and, accordingly, the details of the flasher are omitted from the present disclosure. As diagrammatically illustrated the flasher includes a motor 3! which drives a shaft 32. The shaft 32 carries two cams 33. The cams 33 operate contacts 34 and 35, be-

ing operable to move these contacts 34 and 35 into engagement with mating or opposing stationary contacts 36 and 31. The cams 33 are approximately 180 in extent and are in opposed relation, as shown in Fig. 1, so that one cam operates while the other cam is idle. Accordingly, there can be only one contact 34 or 35 closed at any one time and the contacts 34 and 35 are closed in immediate succession to provide for a continuous sequence of alternating reversals of the motor M and cylinder i3 when the cylinder is operated in the so-called reverse manner. It is to be understood that the shaft 32 is geared down to rotate slowly, there being a. speed reduction gearing interposed between the motor and the shaft 32 as is the common practice in motor driven flashers.

The control It is characterized by a single switch or single compound switch which serves to complete and open the circuits for the brake means l6 and the means ii for the operation of the cylinder [3 in the manner required. This master switch S may be of the drum type embodying a'turnable shaft 38 and a drum 39 fixed on the shaft. In practice, there may be a plurality of independent drums 39 but for the sake of simplicity, it will be considered that there is a single drum. The-switch structure is mounted in a suitable case 40 and the shaft 38 is carried for movement through a partial rotation. The shaft 38 projects from the forward end of the case 40 and a handle 4i is fixed to the projecting end of the shaft.

The handle 4| is shaped at one end to constitute a pointer 42. An arcuate row of calibrations 43 is provided on the case front and these calibrations are designated Reverse, Oil and Non-reverse" or abbreviations of the same, respectively, indicating that the cylinder l3 will be successively and alternately rotated in opposite directions when the pointer 42 is at Reverse, will be stationary when the pointer 42 is at "Off" and will be continuously rotated in one direction when the pointer 42, is at Non-reverse. Between the marks "Reverse and "Off there'is a calibration labelled Inch up, meaning that when the pointer 42 is at this mark the cylinder l3 will be inched or advanced to the right or in an Up direction. Between the calibrations "Off and "Non-reverse" there is a calibration labelled "Inch down" which indicates that when the pointer 42 is at this mark the cylinder i3 will advance or inch in the down direction.

A multiplicity of stationary contacts is embodied in the switch 8 and these stationary contacts are engaged by contacts under the controlof the drum 33. The several stationary and movable contacts may be alike and the following description of a pair ofthese contacts and the iloifset or inwardly bent part 44 engageabie bycams 45 on the periphery of the drum 33. There are spaced cams 45 for engaging with the contact'part 44. The cams 43 are formed and arranged to move the contact x into engagement with its opposed and mating contact Y. The

with the contact Y rections. The several'contacts of the switch 8 drum 55 is turned given distances in opposite are designated X and Y, X and Y, X and Y,

Thecircuits of the novel control It include a, lead 45 extending from the power line 2| (phase i) to the door l2 the shell Ill and thence to the contact X of the switch S. A lead 41 extends from the mating contact Y to the contact 54 of the flasher l1 and a lead 48 continues from the mating stationary contact 35 to the Up coil of reversing contactor controlling motor M. A line 45 taps into the lead 41 and extends to one side of the motor ll of the flasher I1 and a line 55 extends from the other terminal of the flasher motor to the second power lead 5| (phase 3) through wire 55 and overloads 22. With the circuit just described positioning of the handle 4|v with its pointer 42 at the designation Reverse the circuit is completed from' the power line 2| through the lead 45 to the engaged contacts X and Y, then through the line 41 to the flasher motor 2| and then through the lines 50 and 55 to.

the overloads 22 and the second power lead 5| (phase 5). A tap 52 from the line "extends to the contact 55 of the flasher I1 and a line 53 connects the mating stationary flasher contact 31 with the Up" coil of the contactor controlling motor M. The operation of the flasher |1 serves to alternately and successively complete the motor contactor control circuits from the line through the brake releasing solenoid to produce continuous rotation of the cylinder I! in one direction. When the pointer 42 is at the nonreverse" position the contacts X and Y and the contacts X and Y are made. The contact X" is connected in the line or bus 54. A lead 51 extends from the mating contact Y to the line 55 oi! the down contactor coil or motor M and with the contacts X and Y engaged the circuit is completed to the *down coil of the contactor 41 through the contacts 34 and 35 and the line 1 48 to the Up coil of the motor M contactor and through the tap 52, contacts 55 and 31 and line 55 to the Down coil or the motor contactor. From the above it will be seen that Operation of the handle to the "Reverse position" engages the contact X with the contact Y to enfor motor M from the power line 2| through line 45, bus 54, contacts X and Y and line 51 to the down contactor coil, through the lead and through overloads 22 to the power line 5|. With the switch handle 4| in the "non-reverse position the contacts X and Y are also engaged to electrically connect'the bus 54 with the lead 55 of the brake solenoid 25 so that a circuit is completed through the solenoid 25 to hold the brake I5 released. The motor M remains energized to rotate the cylinder l3 in one direction which I have designated the down direction and the brake l5 remains deenergized or released so long as the f switch handle 4| remains'in the non-reverse position.

When the switch handle 4| is in the position where its pointer 42 is at the inch up calibration the contacts X and Y and X and Y are made or engaged. The contact X is connected in a branch-59 oi the power line 2| A line 55 extends from the mating contact Y to the up coil terminal. Thus, closing of the contacts X and Y completesa circuit from the power line 2| through the line 59, the contacts X and Y through the contactor of motor M, wire 55 and overloads 22 to the second power line 5|. It is necessary that the brake I5 be released when the motor M is energized to inch the cylinder l3 up position the contacts X and Y -of the switch S are engaged. A branch or tap 5| connects the I contact Y with the above described line 55 and ergize the flasher l1 and to-condition or set up i .the circuits for the Reverse" operation oi the motor M through its controlling contactor.

It is necessary'that the brake l5 be released during the above described "Reverse operation of the motor M. When the switch handle 4| is in the Reverse position the contact X is engaged A bus or tap 54 extends from the contact X, or the line 45, to the contact X and a lead" extends from the mating contact Y to one terminal of the brake releasing solenoid 25. ..A line 55' connects the other terminal or the'solenoid 25 with the power-line 5| through line 55 and the overloads 22. With the switch handle 4| in the Reverse position the flasher I1 is in operation and the Up and "down" coil circuits for the contactor of motor M are conditioned for control by the flasher and the solenoid. 25 is energized tohold the brake l5 its pointer 42 is in the "non-reverse position a circuit is completed to the fdown coil of the conthe contact X is connected in the branch power lead 58 asat 52. With the contacts X and Y made or engaged the circuit is completed through the line 55, the lead 55, the contacts X and Y and the lead 55 to hold the solenoid 25 energized.

When the switch handle 4| is in the position whereits pointer 42 is at of! none of the contacts of the switch S are engaged and the circuits are idle. It is to be observed that with this condition the spring 25 holds the brake i5 active.

so that the cylinder I3 is held against movement. So long as the solenoid 25 remains deenergized the brake I5 remains active to hold the cylinder against turning.

When the handle 4| of the switch S is brought to the inch down position the contacts X and Y are made or engaged and the contacts X and Y" are engaged. The contact X is tapped to line 55 at 52-, while the contact Y is connected 1 in the above described line 51 which extends to the "down 0011 or the contactor for motor M.

- Accordingly, a circuit is completed through the line", the contacts and Y and the line 51 to the "down coil of the contactor for motor M, the line 55, and the overloads 22 to the second power line 5|. A circuit is also completedto 'the solenoid 25-when the contacts X and Y are engaged, this latter circuit being through the line 55, the contacts X and Y, the line 55 to the solenoid 25, and then through line 55, line 55,

the'overloads 22 and to the power line 5|.

It is to be observed that the flasher I1 is shunted out or inactive when the switch S is in either of its inching positions, that is, in the inching up or inching down position. The contacts Y and Y are connected with the lines 88 and 51, respectively, which pass directly to the up" and down coils, respectively, of the motor contactor, thus avoiding the flasher IT. From an inspection of Fig. 5 of the drawings it will be apparent that there can be no feed back through the circuits when the switch S is in either of the inch up or the "inch down conditions.

The switch S embodies a detent means for releasably holding the shaft 38 in the reverse and "non-reverse positions and for preventing the shaft from remaining in either of the inching positions. This detent means is shown in Fig. 3 wherein it will be seen that the switch shaft 38 carries a plate 18. The plate 18 is fixed to the shaft 88 and is provided with two spaced notches 1|. These notches H have curved or cylindrical walls and are pitched or outwardly divergent. "A larger central notch 12 occurs in the edge of the plate 18 between the spaced notches ii. The notch 12 has inwardly convergent straight walls. The detent means further includes a pivotedarm or lever 14. The lever 14 may be supported by a pin 15 on a fixed part 18 of the switch S and extends below the plate 18 or below the terminal 38. A pin 17 on the lever 14 rotatably carries a roller 18. The roller 18 cooperates with the notches 1| and 12. A spring 19 is engaged or connected between the outer part of the lever 14 and a fixed portion 80 of the switch S. The spring I9 yieldingly urges the roller 18 upwardly against the notched edge of the plate 18. When the handle 4| is moved either to the reverse" or non-reverse position a notch H is brought into engagement with the roller 18. The engagement of the roller 18 in the notch releasably holds the shaft 38 against turning and thus holds the switch mechanism either in the "reverse or the "non-reverse condition as the case may be. On the other hand when the handle 4| is moved to bring its pointer 42 to either the inching up or the inching down position the roller 18 merely engages one of the converging walls of the intermediate notch I2. The engagement of the spring urged roller 18 with the pitched wall of the notch 12 will automatically restore the switch to effect inching of the cylinder l3 unless the operator uses two hands in the control of the system. The safety means l9 includes a switch 8| connected in the line 48 .and controlled by the door l2. As. above described the line 48 is in effect a continuation or'branch of thepower line 2| so that a switch in the line, 48 operates when open to completely deenergize the system. The safety switch in th line 48 may be of any selected form. In the case illustrated thesafety switch includes a stationary contact 8|! and a movable contact 8|. The switch is positioned and formed so thatthe contact 8| is engaged and moved to the closed position against the contact 80* when the door i2 is brought to its closed position. A lug 82 on the door I 2 may engage the contact 8| 3 to move against the contact 88 when the door I! reaches or approaches its closed position. A spring 83, or the equivalent, is provided to move the contact 8 l to the open position when the door I! is opened or partially opened. The safety switch just described makes it impossible for the contactor for motor M to be energized with the shell door 12 in the opened or partially opened positions and, therefore, precludes injury to the operator by operation of the cylinder I 3 when loading and unloading the machine.

The safety means l8 further includes a lock-out switch that serves to prevent inching of the cylinder 18 in either direction unless the operator employs two hands in the inching operations. This lock-out switch 88 is positioned with relation to the handle ll sothat lt'is impossible for the handle 4| and the switch 85 to both be controlled and operated by one hand for the inching of the cylinder II. The inching lock-out switch 85 may be connected in either the line 48 or 59. In the case illustrated the lock-out switch 85 is connected in the line 59. In practice, the switch 85 may be a simple push button type switch. As illustrated in Fig. 2 of the drawings the switch 85 may be mounted on a side of the switch case 48, for example, it may be mounted on the under side of the case in'a position where the opera'tors hand engaged with the handle 4| for the inching operation cannot possibly operate the lock-out switch. 1 In the use or operation of the apparatus of the present invention the cylinder I3 is com pletely controlled by the operation of the single switch S and the look-out switch 85. To produce operation of the cylinder l8 it is necessary to first close the door i2, thus preventing injury to the operator, etc. With the door I2 closed the switch handle 4| may be brought either to the reverse or "non-reverse" position as required and the roller 18 will engage in a notch H to yieldingly retain the switch in the selectedv position. This results in rotation of the cylinder if either in the reverse? manner or continuously in one direction depending upon the setting of the switch S. The circuits for effecting this operation of the cylinder l8 and for maintaining the solenoid 28 deenergized during cylinder operation have been described in detail and have been traced out above. To stop the operation, the switch handle 4| is moved to the "of!" position ,which leaves the switch in a condition where all of its contacts are open so that the. electrical circuits are all idle and the brake I8 is allowed to operate. In practice, it is often found necessary to inch the cylinder II in one direction or the other to bring its opening H intoregister with the opening II. This is done by merely pressing the push button 88 and swinging the handle 4| to the right or to thegleft while maintaining the switch 88 closed. As above described. movement of the handle ll to the inch up or the "inch down" position energizes the motor. M to turn or move the cylinder l8 either to the right or to the left. The handle 4| may be moved back and forth to inch the cylinder It as required to bring the openings I4 and II into registration. Upon opening of the. door I! the system is rendered ineffective so that the machine may be loaded and unloaded with safety. 1

Having'described a typical preferred form and application of my invention, I do not'wish to be limited or restricted to the specific details herein set forth. but wish to reserve to myself any assaoes operable to cause alternate operation or the motor in opposite directions, non-reversing means operable to cause continued operation of the motor in one direction, and a single manually operable switch for transferring control of the motor from the reversing means to the non-reversing means and vice versa.

2. In combination witha rotatable element, a I

reversible electric motor for rotating the element, an energizing circuit for the motor, reversing means in the circuit operable to cause alternate operation of the motor in opposite directions, and a single manuallycperable switch controlling said circuit operable to make the reversing means operative and inactive at will and operable to cause continued operation oi! the motor in one direction and to de-energize the motor at will.

3. In combination with a rotatable element, a

reversible power means for rotating the element, 1

an energizing circuit for the power means, reverslng means in the circuit operable to cause alternate operation of' the power means in opposite directions, a single manually operable switch controlling said circuit operable to make the reversing means operative and inactive at will and op erable to cause continued operation of the power means in one direction and to lie-energize the power means at will, and a brake controlled by said switch to stop the element when the power means is de-energized.

4. In combination with a rotatable element, a

eration of the motor continuously in onedirection, two pairsoi. contacts engageable to cause operation of the motor in opposite directions to eflect inching oi the element, and detent means for releasably holding said member in position to maintain the two first mentioned pairs of contacts engaged. v

'I. In combination with a rotatable element, a

reversible electric motor for rotating the element, I

an energizing circuit for the motor, reversing means in the circuit operable to cause alternate operation of the motor in opposite directions, and aswitch in the circuit oi. the motor and reversin means including a pair of reversing contacts engageable to cause operation of the reversing means, a pair oi'wcontacts engageable to cause operation of the motor continuously in one direc tion, two pairs of contacts engageable to cause operation of the motor in opposite directions to eiiect inching oi the element, a movable member selectively movable to positions to cause engagement between the contacts of anyone of said 7 pairs, detent means for releasably holding said reversible electric motor for rotating the element,

an energizing circuit for the motor, reversing means in the circuit operable to cause alternate operation of the motor in opposite directions, and a switch in the circuit of the motor and reversini means including a pair of reversing contacts ensageable to cause operation of the reversing means, a pair of contacts engageable to cause operation of the motor continuously in one direction, and a single movable switch member operable to selectively en age either of said pairs oi contacts.

5. In combination with a rotatable element, a reversible electric motor for rotating the element, an energizing circuit for the motor, reversing means in the circuit operable to cause alternate operation of the motor in opposite directions, and a switch in the circuit of the motor and reversing means including a pair of reversing contacts engageable to cause operation of the reversing means, a pair of contacts engageable to cause operation of the motor continuously in one direction, two pairs of contacts engageable to cause operation of the motor in'opposite directions to effect inching o! the element, anda single movable switch member movable'to positions to' selectively engage any one of said pairs or conmeans. a pair or contacts engageable to cause opmember in the positions to maintain the two first mentioned pairs of contacts engaged, and means for automatically moving the member to a position where none or the contacts are engaged when the member is left where either of said two pairs of contacts are engaged.

8. In combination with a rotatable element, a reversible power meanswfor rotating the element; an energizing circuit for the power means, reversing means in the circuit operable to cause alternate operation of the. power means in opposite directions, a brake for stopping movement or the element, means 101' releasing the brake, and a manually operable switch in the circuit oi the power means and reversing means and operable to control the brake releasing means, the switch including a pair of contacts engageable to cause operation of the reversing means. a pair of contacts engageable to cause continuous operation of the power means in one direction.

contacts engaged when either or the first men-' the brake releasing means, and a switch member movable to given positions to engage either or said iirst mentioned pairs of contacts.

9. In combination with a rotatable element, va reversible power means for rotating the element, an energizing circuit for the power means, reversing means in the circuit operable to cause alternate operation of the power means in opposite directions, a brake for stopping movement of the element, means for releasing the brake, and a manually operable s tch in the circuit of the power means and reversing means and operable to control the brake releasing means, the switch including a pair oi contacts engageable to cause operation of the reversing means, a pair of contacts engageable to cause continuous operation of the power means in one direction, pairs power means in either direction to eflect inching oithe element, and contacts engageable to cause energization oi the brake releasing means, and

a single manually movable member operable to.

selectively engage any of said pairs or contacts and to simultaneously therewith engage the last named contacts.

10. In combination with a rotatable element, a reversible power means ior rotating the element, an energizing circuit tor the power means, brake means for the element, means for releasing the brake means, a circuit governing the brake and the brake releasing means is energized and having positions where only the power means is energized. and a lock out switch in the circuit oi the brake releasing means manually operable to close the same when the first named switch is in its second named position.

11. A control for a reversible power means for driving a rotatable element and having an energizing circuit, the control including brake means for the element, means for releasing the brake the circuits oi the power means and brake releasing means and having a position where the power means is energized for continuous operation of the element and the brake releasing means is energized and having positions where only the power means is energized, and a lock out switch in the circuit or the brake releasing means manually operable to close the same when the first named switch is in its second named position, said switches having manually engageable operating parts so spaced and positioned that the operator must use both hands for their simultaneous control, the first named switch being operable to cause operation of the element when means, a circuit governing the brake releasing it the lookout switchisidle.

means, a manually operable switch controlling RALPHS. TRACKER. 

